#RightToBoycott: 356 European & Irish human rights orgs, faith groups, unions & parties call on EU to support the Right to Boycott Israel

More than 300 human rights and aid organisations, faith groups, trade unions and political parties from across Europe have called on the EU to uphold its legal responsibilities and hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and to defend the right of individuals and institutions to take part in the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement for justice and equality.

Signatories to the letter called on the EU commission to “introduce the human rights guidelines guaranteeing freedom of speech and right to boycott and to use all other means you have in your disposal to support European citizens in their struggle to uphold basic human rights.”

20 Irish organisations are among the signatories, including the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Afri, Sinn Fein, Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit, the Green Party, the Ireland-Palestine Solidartity Campaign, Academics for Palestine and Sadaka (full list below).

Others in the 356 strong list of signatories include: Transform! Europe – a european network of 28 European organizations from 19 countries, The Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions, Parti de Gauche in France, Podemos in Spain, Norwegian Church Aid, major Belgian NGO coalition CNCD 11.11.11, Defence for Children in Belgium, the international catholic peace movement Pax Christi International in Belgium and major French Catholic NGO Terre Solidaire. See here for letter and full list of signatories.

At Israel’s request, European governments including the UK and France are introducing anti-democratic legislation and taking other repressive measures to undermine the BDS movement. In France, one activist was arrested simply for wearing a BDS t-shirt.

The EU envoy to Israel was criticised recently for participating in an anti-BDS conference in Jerusalem at which Israeli government ministers threatened BDS activists.

Israel has also imposed an effective travel ban on BDS movement co-founder Omar Barghouti, following thinly-veiled threats of physical violence against him by Israeli government ministers that prompted Amnesty International to express concern “for the safety and liberty of Palestinian human rights defender Omar Barghouti”.

Israeli state repression against human rights defenders and the BDS movement is designed to shield it from being held accountable for its violations of international law. Israel has openly boasted that it is spying on international BDS activists.

Riya Hassan, Europe Campaigns Officer for the Palestinian BDS National Committee, the broadest coalition of Palestinian organisations that leads and supports the BDS movement, said: “Rather than helping Israel to repress the BDS movement, it is time for the EU to meet its obligations under international law and hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. The EU must uphold the right of European, Palestinian and Israeli citizens to uphold human rights and take part in the nonviolent BDS movement.”

Aneta Jerska, the coordinator of the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP), one of the organisations that has signed the statement and an umbrella group for NGOs working on for Palestinian rights, said: “It is empowering to see so many European civil society organisations and representative bodies publicly declaring their support for the right to participate in the BDS movement that aims to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and human rights. This is a powerful sign that European public opinion is increasingly viewing BDS as an act of free speech. We will continue to fight to bring an end to Israel’s unjust system of oppression over the Palestinian people.”

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Text of the Petition

Enough with the criminalisation of the BDS movement for justice in Palestine! Let’s support right2BDS!

Why this is important:

The French High Court has upheld the conviction of activists who called for the boycott of Israeli products

The British government is implementing a new set of rules that will make it harder for local councils and other public bodies including universities to make ethical procurement or investment decisions.

The Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said at the largest Israeli anti-BDS conference, held on March 28 in Jerusalem, that Israel should engage in “targeted civil eliminations” of BDS “leaders” with the help of Israeli intelligence

All over the world, non-violent grassroots activists are under threat!

Petition To:

Dear Mr Juncker – President of the European Commission

Dear Mrs Astola – Director General of the DG Justice and Consumers of the EC

We, the undersigned citizens of Europe are deeply alarmed by the ongoing attempts by some European governments to criminalise political activism against Israeli violations of international law.

The Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said at the largest Israeli anti-BDS conference, held on March 28 in Jerusalem, that Israel should engage in “targeted civil eliminations” of BDS “leaders” with the help of Israeli intelligence. That was at the very same conference at which EU Ambassador to Israel was participating alongside the settler leaders. It is seriously alarming when government ministers anywhere make such threats against human rights defenders!

We wish to express our outrage at such an incitement and attacks on civil rights and seeking your support in upholding the basic rights for European citizens for a freedom of speech and expression in support for the Palestinian people and/or other people worldwide to defend their fundamental rights.

In addition we’d like to recall the statement from the Swedish foreign ministry re-affirming basic democratic principles by saying that BDS “is a civil society movement” and that “governments should not interfere in civil society organization views”.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) affirms the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to freedom of expression. These rights are interrelated and are the foundation of other rights, including the rights to freedom of assembly and association. Accordingly, the Human Rights Committee has affirmed that the holding of an opinion should not be criminalized.

The European Union have to uphold its legal responsibilities, including by defending against illegitimate attacks against individuals, groups, and institutions involved in BDS movement, and to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law.

We, the undersigned European citizens strongly believe that your role in the European Commission is of the highest importance in this case. Therefore we call on you to introduce the human rights guidelines guaranteeing freedom of speech and right to boycott and to use all other means you have in your disposal to support European citizens in their struggle to uphold basic human rights.

Yours sincerely,

Signed:

1. Transform!Europe – European network for alternative thinking and political dialogue

2. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP)